eBay

lovemypommy · ‎11-22-2019

(This is my posting ID)

Curious to see if anyone has dealt with this situation...

I have an item for sale and received a message from someone saying they were interested, but wanted a discount. I don't have "best offer" on this item and sent a polite message back that I considered the price fair due to it being NWT and already over 60% off retail price, but appreciated her interest. Next got a message from her that she wanted to see if she could get cheaper or "free shipping". Another polite message was sent that this item needs to be sent in a box and being that it is around 2 pounds (and would be sent from basically coast to coast) that the $13 shipping fee is on the lower end of shipping costs.

Received yet another message asking what my "Christmas return policy" is. At this point alarm bells are sounding in my head and my gut tells me that she needs to go on my best buddies list. Shortly after doing this I see a flurry of messages that she is having trouble purchasing the item (uh, yeah). Wake up this morning to see that this particular item has sold and upon checking out where it is being sent to, notice that the buyers address is in the same city/state as the persistent woman sending all those previous messages. After a bit of googling I observe that the buyer is related to or living with this same woman. *sigh*

Now I'm in a quandary as I decide whether to just go ahead and ship as I know now that eBay considers it ok for people to get around being blocked as long as "they really want the item".

WWYD?

city*satins · ‎11-23-2019

@wastingtime101 wrote:
@trinton@ebay wrote in this post :
as a part of our 2019 Spring Seller Update, we announced protections for exactly this situation. Previously, eBay would have to determine a definitive link between two accounts to offer protections. Now we offer the same protection for sellers who have reason to believe two accounts are linked, such as what you describe. You can report the buyer, cancel the orders, and add the new account to your blocked list if you would like. A specific reason will be added later for these kinds of cancellations but for now you can use the "Problem with buyer's address" option, no problem. You will be protected from any defects or feedback issues that may arise.

I would dearly love to know whether this promise is being kept.

If it is, ignore the last thing I wrote to the WWYD question, and trust that Trinton has it right.

THIS SPACE LEFT INTENTIONALLY BLANK

purple-rain-store · ‎11-23-2019

Did just this a few days ago. Reported to Ebay for Business, had screen shots linking both accounts. Not to soon after I'd cancelled and reported buyer/seller, "yes it was a seller with active listings that pulled this nonsense," they left a Neutral which I followed up to. Seller of all people should know these policies and IMO should be "Cancelled," for pulling this nonsense! I didn't even request for it to be removed. The accounts were investigated and the neutral they left was removed today. I cited ebay's malicious buyers policy when reporting. I've gotten several of these types of buyers just in the past couple months. Some people are nuts!

7606dennis · ‎11-23-2019

Has this person actually purchased the item from you or are they merely asking questions? If they haven't and made an offer, I would decline the offer and put them on my BBL. In my opinion, this sounds like a problem buyer and if you continue with the transaction you'll have nothing but headaches from it.

If, of course, the buyer has already purchased and paid, you have no option but to ship without risking a defect.

"It is an intelligent man that is aware of his own ignorance."

scstool · ‎11-23-2019

I had this same problem happen with a BB a few years ago. I got fed up with a serial lowballer, got message after message, let emotions take over, and threw him out of my store. He was a repeat customer who beat down the price every time and would then after paying ask me to go through a box of over 100 bolts and pick out the best bolt. Upon CSR advice I cancelled the sale using the "problem with address" reason. Buyer had another person in another state then buy the item so I repeated the cancellation for same reason.

I never received any bad feedbacks and I was told they would be removed if I did.

Times have changed and I have changed so today I would not go through the wasted time and just ship if he pays.

pink.fish.rule · ‎11-24-2019

@fern*wood wrote:
@lovemypommy wrote:

Now I'm in a quandary as I decide whether to just go ahead and ship as I know now that eBay considers it ok for people to get around being blocked as long as "they really want the item".

WWYD?

Supposedly this policy has changed and ebay is supposed to protect a seller. I've not read much about how it has worked out for anyone not shipping, though.

Yes supposedly, and yet the blue who mentioned the change has vanished into the ether (as they do) and we never saw the promised changes to the cancellation reasons either.

pink.fish.rule · ‎11-24-2019

@wastingtime101 wrote:
@trinton@ebay wrote in this post :
as a part of our 2019 Spring Seller Update, we announced protections for exactly this situation. Previously, eBay would have to determine a definitive link between two accounts to offer protections. Now we offer the same protection for sellers who have reason to believe two accounts are linked, such as what you describe. You can report the buyer, cancel the orders, and add the new account to your blocked list if you would like. A specific reason will be added later for these kinds of cancellations but for now you can use the "Problem with buyer's address" option, no problem. You will be protected from any defects or feedback issues that may arise.

Yes but this is also the same person who was telling us before that "I'ts ok for a buyer to circumvent the BBL as long as they really really really want the item".

They change with the wind

pink.fish.rule · ‎11-24-2019

@7606dennis wrote:
Has this person actually purchased the item from you or are they merely asking questions? If they haven't and made an offer, I would decline the offer and put them on my BBL. In my opinion, this sounds like a problem buyer and if you continue with the transaction you'll have nothing but headaches from it.

If, of course, the buyer has already purchased and paid, you have no option but to ship without risking a defect.

Except we've been told we can now choose 'problem with address' if the buyer is actually on the seller's BBL.

lovemypommy · ‎11-24-2019

After careful deliberation, weighing the pros & cons and coming to the conclusion that I just don't have faith that eBay will have my back...I decided to ship fast as earlyant-77 suggested (Priority shipping in FRB. ETA is 11/25).

One factor in sending the item is I was able to get it rather cheaply, so if there is a return it won't hurt my bottom line. Also, it seemed fairly popular as it had 5 watchers within a week of listing (none other like it listed at the time), so I feel pretty confident that it will be snapped up if it is returned and relisted.

We will see how things play out and I will post later with updates. Very appreciative of this community and thank you all for sharing your advice, experiences and opinions.

this*old*attic · ‎11-24-2019

@fashunu4eeuh

Simply brilliant. Beautifully put.

this*old*attic · ‎11-24-2019

I agree!

turquoisetulips · ‎11-24-2019

Before venturing an opinion, can I ask if the item in question is a Christmas item? If so, be prepared for a possible return after Christmas and they may have used/abused i kathy507 ----------------------------

I was wondering that as well .. If the item is a Christmas decoration the buyer may be just wanting to '' borrow '' it until after the holidays . I've had that happen and it's frustrating . Tulips

7606dennis · ‎11-24-2019

@pink.fish.rule wrote:
@7606dennis wrote:
Has this person actually purchased the item from you or are they merely asking questions? If they haven't and made an offer, I would decline the offer and put them on my BBL. In my opinion, this sounds like a problem buyer and if you continue with the transaction you'll have nothing but headaches from it.

If, of course, the buyer has already purchased and paid, you have no option but to ship without risking a defect.
Except we've been told we can now choose 'problem with address' if the buyer is actually on the seller's BBL.

Unless I see that in the UA and even then I'd be extremely skeptical.

"It is an intelligent man that is aware of his own ignorance."

fern*wood · ‎11-24-2019

@7606dennis wrote:
Except we've been told we can now choose 'problem with address' if the buyer is actually on the seller's BBL.
Unless I see that in the UA and even then I'd be extremely skeptical.

In fairness, I don't recall the rule being written out that we had to ship just in case they really wanted it. That was one of those unwritten invisible rules we had to abide by, but now they say otherwise.